[Long-term results of group therapy in heart patients. A retrospective analysis]

Thirty-four patients with coronary heart disease who had regularly participated 1.5 +/- 0.5 times a week in an exercise group were analyzed spiroergometrically on a treadmill and on a bicycle ergometer after an average of 1, 2.5 and 4.5 years; 20 patients were also examined after 6.5 years. The maximum performance and tolerance to exercise were recorded. After one year, an increase in performance and exercise tolerance of 9% was noted. In the subsequent years, performance on the bicycle ergometer stabilized on an elevated level. In the case of treadmill ergometry, no further changes were observed after 1 year of treatment. After an initial increase, the aerobic capacity remained virtually constant over the entire follow-up period. Group exercise in ambulatory coronary patients reveals a training effect in particular in the first year of participation, and stabilization of performance at a high level running counter to the effects of ageing.